Thursday, October 18, 2012

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government announced that Scotland is set to benefit from nearly 15,000 new jobs thanks to investment in broadband infrastructure. These figures formed part of the first annual progress report of the Scottish Government’s digital strategy - Scotland’s Digital Future. From the press release:

"The jobs will be created across the economy in areas such as e-commerce, engineering, social media, tourism, laser technologies, cyber security and research and development. The investment will also help job seekers, older people and those with disabilities gain access to employment. The employment opportunities are forecast to emerge over the next 15 years as the Scottish Government invests in providing faster, next generation broadband access for businesses and communities...The Scottish Government is investing nearly a quarter of a billion pounds to deliver improved broadband access for people across Scotland. This includes a £120 million broadband boost specifically for the Highlands and Islands and £5 million to assist community groups in rural areas gain access to broadband networks."

The Scottish Government has set the following targets for broadband in Scotland:

next generation broadband will be available to all by 2020 with significant progress by 2015; and

the rate of broadband uptake by people in Scotland should be at or above the UK average by 2013, and should be highest among the UK nations by 2015.

The report's summary of progress lists the following as the Government's achievements in relation to broadband infrastructure:

In Wales, an additional £20m for broadband in Wales was announced at the beginning of October 2012, as part of the draft budget for 2013-14. From the Welsh Government press release:

"...an additional £175m in capital investment over the next two years to support strategically important projects throughout Wales, creating or supporting up to 3,000 jobs. This includes...An additional £10m in 2014-15 for high-speed broadband to ensure universal access by 2015. This builds on the additional £10m we are allocating in 2013-14 for Next Generation Broadband Wales from the Centrally Retained Capital Fund..."

More on recent broadband developments in Wales here and here, with coverage from ISP Review here.